Rolls-Royce will develop energy storage systems (ESS) meant to enable zero-emissions flights of over 100 miles. The company plans an £80 million investment in ESS over the next decade.

ESS products from Rolls-Royce will power electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) and commuter-market fixed-wing aircraft with up to 19 seats. By 2035, Rolls-Royce is planning to supply more than 5 million battery cells per year to modular systems. 

Rolls-Royce and airframe manufacturer Tecnam are currently working with Widerøe—a regional airline in Scandinavia—to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market, which is planned to be ready for revenue service in 2026. Rolls-Royce will deliver the entire electrical propulsion system, including an energy storage system for the new P-VOLT aircraft.

Rob Watson, Rolls-Royce Director of Electrical, said, “This will ensure that we can offer our customers a complete electric propulsion system for their platform, whether that is an eVTOL or a commuter aircraft.”

Source: Rolls-Royce